Chapter 11.5, Problem 2QC

Summary Introduction

To review:

The G-proteins and second messengers.

Introduction:

The neural and glial cells comprise certain proteins on the membrane thatareresponsible for binding with specific neurotransmitters. These proteins are known as neurotransmitter receptors. Two types of neurotransmitter receptors are found in the body. They are ionotropic receptors and metabotropic receptors.

Metabotropic neurotransmitter receptors are mainly responsible for activating an intercellular enzyme called G-protein. The activated G-protein then generates an enzyme cascade reaction, which, in the end, forms a compound called the second messenger. The second messenger then regulates the movement of the ligand-gated ion channels of the plasma membrane.